A concrete block garden bed is an inexpensive and durable way to create a raised garden without any complicated construction. Using standard concrete blocks, you can build a sturdy planting bed in just a few hours and customize the size to fit your garden space. These raised beds are often called concrete block or cinder …
Vegetables
Using plants that repel squash bugs can be a useful addition to your pest management strategy. While no companion plant will eliminate squash bugs on its own, certain herbs, flowers, and trap crops can help create an environment less favorable for these pests and support a healthier squash crop. Squash bugs are a common garden …
There are many types of watermelon to choose from, each with its own characteristics. Some ripen early, others need more space, and some stand out for their color, size, or flavor. Watermelons are commonly grouped into six main categories: seeded, seedless, icebox, picnic, mini, and yellow or orange-fleshed varieties. Each type differs in size, appearance, …
Are your cucumbers turning yellow and growing round and fat on the vine? The most common cause for this is that they were left on the plant too long. However, overwatering, poor pollination, nutrient issues, and viral diseases can also cause yellow cucumbers. This guide examines the reasons your cucumbers grow yellow instead of green, …
This easy raised garden bed is a simple DIY project built with a wood frame supported by concrete planter wall blocks at the corners. Once your materials are ready, the raised bed can be assembled in an afternoon. Most of the work is in cutting and preparing the boards. After that, the bed comes together …
Yellow leaves on tomato plants are a common problem with tomatoes that usually signals an issue with the plant’s growing conditions. In most cases, yellowing is caused by one of a few key issues: watering problems, nutrient deficiencies, pest damage, or disease. Because these problems can look very similar in the early stages, careful observation …
Learning how to regrow spring onions in water is one of the simplest kitchen hacks for turning scraps into fresh greens. By placing the white base of spring onions (also called green onions or scallions) in a glass of water, you can quickly trigger new shoot growth within days. This easy onion growing method works …
Do squirrels keep digging up bulbs, stealing from bird feeders, or wreaking havoc in your vegetable garden? The good news is that you don’t need harsh chemicals to solve these problems. There are several natural squirrel repellent options featuring simple, everyday ingredients that keep squirrels away. In this guide, you’ll discover smells squirrels hate, the …
Do you have a problem with soil-borne diseases, crooked cucumbers, or pests on your cucumber plants? Learning how to trellis cucumbers will solve these common problems. Cucumbers grow best when supported on a trellis, lattice, or stake. Training them upward improves air circulation, saves space in the vegetable garden, and makes harvesting easier. You can …
Start seeds indoors to get a head start on spring gardening. You’ll get healthy, strong plants without spending extra on store-bought seedlings or plants from garden centers. Whether you plan to grow flower or vegetable seeds, knowing when to start seeds indoors is critical. Sow them too early, and they may be ready to plant outdoors …
Spring is here! Let’s get ready by going through some tasks to prepare your garden for spring. Winter is hard on your garden, and spring brings a host of things that need attention. The good news? After a winter of no gardening, they don’t seem like chores at all! Whether you’re getting your vegetable garden …
Many beginning vegetable gardeners make the common mistake of starting too large. If you don’t have a large yard with room for a traditional garden, growing a vegetable garden on a deck is a simple and surprisingly productive alternative. You don’t need acres of space to grow your own food. Choose the right containers, add …
Growing sweet potatoes from store-bought tubers is a fun and easy vegetable gardening project the whole family can enjoy. Even beginners can successfully start sweet potato slips and watch them grow. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make slips from store-bought tubers, grow them in water or soil, and figure out which end to …
Ornamental Indian corn is found in many homes as a rustic Thanksgiving decoration. But what is Indian corn? Another name for Indian corn is flint corn because the kernels are so hard. It is also called calico corn because of its colors. It is one of the oldest varieties of corn and has been grown by …
Knowing when to harvest pumpkins is essential for both flavor and storage. Picking pumpkins too early can result in soft, bland fruit, while leaving them on the vine too long increases the risk of rot or frost damage. Understanding the signs of ripeness ensures your pumpkins are ready for cooking, carving, decoration, or storage. By …
When is a watermelon ripe? Knowing the answer to this question ensures that you enjoy the sweetest, juiciest fruit from your garden. By learning the key signs of watermelon ripeness, you can avoid picking too early or leaving melons on the vine too long, and instead harvest them at peak flavor. Look at the tendrils …
Knucklehead pumpkins stand out because of their unusual, bumpy skin. This makes them a favorite for fall displays and Halloween decorating. Many people wonder why some pumpkins grow with warts while others stay smooth. The answer depends on both genetics and growing conditions. Some pumpkins, like the knucklehead variety, are bred to develop those wart-like …
Planning a vegetable garden doesn’t have to stop when the summer ends. There are plenty of vegetables to plant for fall harvests that thrive in cooler weather and even improve in flavor after a light frost. By choosing the right crops, you can keep your harvest going well beyond the summer season. Fall gardens are …
Heirloom pumpkins are an exciting choice for beginning gardeners. Unlike the typical orange pumpkins that we all love to carve, heirlooms offer a fascinating variety of new pumpkins to choose from. These pumpkins are often prized for their unique shapes, colors, flavors, and historical significance. Keep reading to discover what makes heirloom pumpkins so special. …
A small-space vegetable garden lets you grow fresh produce when you don’t have room for a traditional vegetable garden. With the right setup, patios, balconies, and decks can all be spaces to grow vegetables. You’ll need containers with good drainage and a quality potting mix. Your area should receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each …
Catfaced tomatoes have an unconventional and ugly appearance. Few things are more of a disappointment to a home vegetable gardener than discovering that their prized tomato plants don’t look the way they expect them to. Catfacing on tomatoes is a physiological disorder that is characterized by irregular and often distorted growth, resulting in misshapen tomatoes …
If you are looking for an easy-to-grow vegetable, ranking second in popularity after tomatoes, try growing green beans. Green beans are also called French beans, string beans, and snap beans. They come in two types – bush beans and pole beans. Snap beans are a great vegetable for beginning gardeners. Even kids can get involved. …
Many gardeners want to know how to ripen tomatoes indoors when the growing season ends or the weather turns cold. Whether your tomatoes are completely green or only partially ripe, you can try the simple indoor methods below to finish the ripening process. Basic supplies like paper bags, cardboard boxes, newspapers, sunny windowsills, bananas, and …
If you’re looking for a cool-weather root vegetable to plant in your home garden this year, try growing rutabagas. This guide will show you how to grow rutabagas from seed to harvest. Rutabagas – also called swedes, neeps, yellow turnips, Canadian turnips, or Russian turnips – have an earthy, peppery flavor when raw, and a …
Tomato blossom drop is a problem that many vegetable gardeners experience, particularly those in hot climates. In fact, a common question that I get from my readers in the warmer states is “Why is my tomato plant dropping its flowers?” You’ve nurtured your tomato plants with care, eagerly expecting to get a harvest of luscious, …
Now that summer is here, home vegetable gardeners are just starting to enjoy the fruits of their labor. A common question that I get from readers is “why are my cucumbers bitter?” Many also want to know if bitter garden cucumbers are safe to eat. Bitter cucumbers can stem from a combination of factors, particularly …